WARRNAMBOOL formula 500 driver Dylan Willsher has claimed his two major racing targets in the space of four months.
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Willsher, 22, was still on a high yesterday after clinching the Australian title in memorable fashion at Rockhampton Speedway on Sunday night.
The win came 106 days after his emotional Jack Willsher Cup triumph at Allansford’s Premier Speedway in late December.
Willsher was in tears after saluting in that race, named after his grandfather. By contrast, his national title success was greeted with wild celebrations.
A victory lap preceded a series of doughnuts and a wing dance, while he also climbed the track catch fence.
“Pa’s Cup meant the world to me. It means something to me personally,” he said. “This one is just awesome,” he said.
“I rate both the wins. I think they’re the two biggest races in the country and this year I’ve won them both.”
The win, from Victorian Steven Horton and Queenslander William Foyle, came despite a series of setbacks in the lead-up to and during the three days.
Willsher was dominating the Queensland title at Archerfield Speedway a week earlier, but agonisingly crashed in lap traffic with six laps remaining.
“I guess I learnt something from it. It still hurts, even though I’m now Australian (number)one. It’d be nice to have the double,” he said.
He bounced back to set the quickest time in Australian title practice on Friday and ran fifth, first and third in his three heats on Saturday.
The last result came despite being sent to the rear for a false start. A second in his final heat on Sunday earned him pole position for the final.
He raced away to victory, aided by regular stoppages which gave him clear air. Purnim’s Chris Bellman also impressed, finishing fifth.
“I couldn’t believe we were that dominant in an Australian title. That’s normally not the case at all. It’s normally nose to tail,” Willsher said.
“We had a heap of stoppages (and) we kept driving away every time. The cautions fell in my favour. I didn’t have any lap traffic.
“Clean air helps with the car set up and the motor running. When you’re out front your car runs better than if you’ve got dirty air.”
Making the achievement more memorable, Willsher had not raced since February 14 — a night the sport almost got the better of him.
A fortnight earlier, he suffered neck injuries and minor brain bruising in a crash at Murray Bridge and spent four days in Warrnambool Base Hospital.
His return to the track for the South Australian title finished with a destroyed motor.
“After Pa’s Cup, where we climbed Mount Everest, we went beyond hell. I’d given up for the year, we wrecked the car, we’d done three motors,” he said.
“I wasn’t even going to Queensland. With some help from a few people, we managed to get up there.”
One of those was engine builder Tony Van Ginneken. “I wouldn’t be racing without him after the year we’ve had,” Willsher said.
He said he planned to race in New South Wales in a fortnight but will be at Hamilton for the Victorian title on Anzac Day.
A return trip to Brisbane for a $5000-to-win show in late May is also on the radar.
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au